Ranking
Top 100
In the World
Book your Open Day or Make an enquiry
Discover more about your chosen subject at one of our Open Days or by asking us a question.
Course overview
Tackle brain diseases and mental health challenges with cutting-edge tech and interdisciplinary collaboration. Become trailblazers, with diverse fields available such as broadcasting, HR, and marketing. With cutting-edge skills and exclusive career support, you will be ready to revolutionise industries and make a global impact!
There are so many opportunities to take part in leading research in the field to get first hand perspective into the work of neuroscientists and researchers.
Join our three-year programme comprising of core (compulsory) and optional modules. Each module will be assessed in different ways depending on the topic you're studying. We are currently updating our modules. Please check back soon for the latest information and updates on our website.
Year 1
Year 1
You will dive into Cognitive Psychology, Evolution and Animal Biology, Genetics, and Psychobiology. You’ll also master Research Methods, develop essential skills, and explore key ideas, concepts, and ethics in Psychology and Neuroscience.
Year 2
Year 2
In your second year, you will delve into Neuroscience Methods, advanced Research Methods, Data Science, and the Neural Basis of Vision and Action. You’ll engage with topical themes in Current Research in Neuroscience, and choose from optional modules like Neuroscience and Endocrinology, Social Development, Philosophy of Mind, and more.
Year 3
Year 3
Your final year will centre on a Neuroscience Research Project, and you will explore research implications in Neuroscience and Society. Optional modules include Neurobiology of Mental Illness, Human Evolution, Clinical Neuroscience, Brain Health, Higher Cognitive Functions, Sleep and Memory, and more.
Why study Human Neuroscience at Birmingham?
- Top 100
in the World
QS World University Rankings 2025
- 18th
in the UK
Complete University Guide 2026
- Interdisciplinary Brilliance: Dive into Psychology and Biosciences, focusing on cognitive neuroscience and nervous system disorders.
- Global Adventure: Experience a thrilling year abroad in top destinations like the USA, Canada, and Hong Kong.
- Research-led teaching: Learn directly from world-leading researchers, ensuring you're taught the latest cutting-edge psychological theories and practices.
- Advanced research facilities: Work with state-of-the-art equipment in specialised labs, enhancing your learning in brain sciences, cognition, and psychology.
- Personalised student support: Benefit from one-on-one guidance from expert lecturers, alongside comprehensive welfare and counselling services.
Talk to our students
Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly students to find out more about your favourite course, our beautiful campus and life in our vibrant and cultural city.
Course delivery
At the School of Psychology in Birmingham, our expert staff deliver a dynamic learning experience through engaging lectures, collaborative seminars, and practical workshops, empowering you to think critically and explore independently.
Lecture
Seminar
Projects
Laboratory
- Lectures and Seminars: Engage with diverse academic knowledge through lectures and interactive seminars led by professors, doctors, and postgraduates.
- Tutorials and Practical Classes: Gain hands-on experience and personalized guidance in small group tutorials and practical sessions.
- Enquiry-Based Learning: Develop independence and critical thinking skills through an enquiry-based learning approach, encouraging self-motivation.
- Academic Skills Centre: Enhance your learning with workshops and support in math, writing, and presentation skills, fostering effective and independent study habits."
Support during your studies
You will have access to our comprehensive support system to help you make a smooth transition to university-level study.
- Personal tutors - will get to know you as you progress through your studies. They will provide academic support and advice to enable you to make the most of your time here at Birmingham.
- Wellbeing Officers - provide professional support, advice and guidance to you across a range of issues. They can discuss extensions, disabilities, reasonable adjustments, extenuating circumstances, and help you access wider support on campus and beyond.
- Student Experience team - will help you get the most out of your academic and social experience, including research opportunities, study skills support and preparing for your post-university careers.
Contact hours
Get ready for an engaging learning experience with an average of 12 contact hours per week! You will take part in dynamic lectures, interactive tutorials, stimulating seminars, hands-on workshops, and immersive lab sessions. Each week is designed to keep you excited and fully engaged in your studies.
Assessment methods and feedback
Psychology uses a variety of methods to assess student performance, including exams, essays and dissertations. At the beginning of each module, you'll be given information on how and when you'll be assessed for that particular area of study.
Module information
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
Year 1
Year 1
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Developing Skills for Psychologists/Neuroscientists 1: Making it Work at University | 10 | Semester 1 |
| Ideas, Concepts, and Ethics in Psychology and Neuroscience | 10 | Semester 2 |
| Cognitive Psychology | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Genetics I | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Introduction to Evolution and Animal Biology | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Introduction to Psychobiology: From Ion Channels to Behaviour | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Research Methods A for Neuroscientists | 10 | Semester 1 |
| Research Methods B for Neuroscientists | 10 | Semester 2 |
Year 2
Year 2
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Current Research in Neuroscience 1 | 10 | Semester 1 |
| Data Science for Brain and Behaviour 1 | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Neural Basis of Vision and Action | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Neuroscience Methods 1 | 10 | Semester 1 |
| Research Methods D | 20 | Semester 2 |
Choose 40 credits from the following modules:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Control Of Human Movement | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Animal Biology: Principles and Mechanisms | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Cell and Developmental Biology | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Current Research in Neuroscience 2 | 10 | Semester 2 |
| Evolution of Humans and Other Animals | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Genetics II | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Human Structure and Function | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Neural Basis of Vision and Action | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Philosophy of Mental Health | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Science and Nature | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Social and Cognitive Development | 20 | Semester 2 |
Final year
Final year
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Neuroscience Research Project | 40 | Full Term |
| Neuroscience and Society | 20 | Semester 1 |
You will need to choose 2 modules in Semester 1 and 2 modules in Semester 2. The list will include modules in Psychology, Sport Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, Biosciences, Philosophy and Computer Science, where such modules have relevance to neuroscience and the programme learning outcomes. Where modules are oversubscribed access is determined by past performance.
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Brain Imaging: A Toolbox for Understanding the Human Mind | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Cellular Neurobiology | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Prejudice Race and Gender | 20 | Semester 1 |
| The Mind Detective: Understanding how the mind works by looking at what happens when it is damaged | 20 | Semester 2 |
| The Neurobiology of Mental Illness | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Why we eat what we eat: a psychological perspective on appetite | 20 | Semester 2 |
Entry requirements
To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.
- A Level
AAA including Biology / Human Biology
- IB
6,6,6 at Higher Level with a minimum of 32 points overall
- BTEC
BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Extended Certificate are accepted but subjects are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for further guidance
Number of A levels required: 3
-
Required subjects and grades
Number of A levels required: 3
Typical offer: AAA
AAA including Biology / Human Biology
General studies
We do not accept General Studies, Critical Studies, Critical Thinking, Science in Society, World Development, Communication and Culture, Citizenship Studies and Use of Mathematics.
BTEC Qualifications
BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Extended Certificate are accepted but subjects are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for further guidance
Extended Project Qualification
Applicants who take the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for the programme, plus an alternative offer, which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in the EPQ.
Deferred Entry
Deferring admission is usually not a problem but please inform the School or central Admissions. The university has a neutral attitude to gap years. You can still apply in advance for deferred entry and would be advised to do so.
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing.
- IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any band.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills.
- Cambridge English(exams taken from 2015): Cambridge English: Advanced Minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
- Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 33 in each skill
- Trinity ISE II: Not applicable
- Trinity ISE III: Pass in each Skill
Presessional English courses
If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September, including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Applicants who take the EPQ and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in the EPQ. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.
Core Maths qualification
Applicants who take the Core Maths qualification and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in Core Maths. If you are also taking A-level Maths, you will not be eligible for an alternative offer through studying Core Maths. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.
Am I likely to receive an offer for 2026?
Stay up-to-date with news and updates from the University of Birmingham including events, our courses and studying with us by registering your details. If you do so, you will be able to use our Offer Calculator.
Alternative Offers
Students who are eligible and complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive an alternative offer, which is typically two grades below the standard offer.
Our Contextual Offer scheme
Our Contextual Offer scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the Contextual Offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer. You don’t need to apply for this – it will be assessed and applied at the point of application if you’re eligible.
- Pathways to Birmingham
ABB including Biology / Human Biology
- Contextual Offer
AAB including Biology / Human Biology
Fees and scholarships
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students.
- £29,160
per year for international students for 2026/27
Undergraduate loans
To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.
Scholarships, grants and bursaries
At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.
Financial support for Home students
If you're a UK student and starting university in September 2026, find out more about what financial support is available to you.
Financial support for International students
We want to help you reach your full potential. Explore our wide variety of scholarships available for international students.
Application process
Whatever your journey to university looks like, we’re here to support you every step of the way. For all undergraduate courses at Birmingham, you apply online through UCAS. The UCAS website has lots of information and advice around the process.
- 14 January 2026
Application deadline for September 2026 entry. Applications close at 18:00 GMT.
View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.
Intercalation at Birmingham
Medical students in the UK who wish to intercalate may be eligible to apply for this programme. Register your interest to receive more information about our intercalation opportunities or contact mdsintercalationenquiries@contacts.bham.ac.uk for details on how to apply.
Career opportunities
Our graduates are highly regarded among employers in the UK, as evidenced by the fact that we’re the UK university most targeted by top graduate employers (High Fliers ‘Graduate Market in 2025’ report). Our courses are committed to your future career, and university is just the start.
I chose to study at UoB because the neuroscience course has a focus on the brain from first year unlike some other courses in the UK. I came to visit Birmingham and saw how beautiful the campus is and I also loved that UoB is a campus uni within a big city. Best of both worlds!
The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits.
The Graduate Market in 2025, High Fliers report
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
Graduates from this programme have gone on to work for organisations including:
University of Birmingham
NHS
King's College London
UCL
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust
East London NHS Foundation Trust
Priory
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
University of Oxford
Shout UK
MBDA
Your World Recruitment Group
Loughborough University
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Their job roles include:
Trainee Clinical Psychologist
Assistant Psychologist
Research Assistant
Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner
Trainee Educational Psychologist
Clinical Psychologist
Chief Executive Officer
Tutor
Board Trustee
Education Mental Health Practitioner
Teacher
Support Worker
PhD Student
Careers Network
Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.
Built in Birmingham. Forged for the future.
Hear from some of our inspiring alumni who have gone on to work for leading employers such as the UK Space Agency and BBC Sport.
Student experience
Your experience studying at Birmingham will give you the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. In our student accommodation, you can enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Living in Birmingham
Our cosmopolitan city has a unique history and so much to see and do. With an ever-changing food and drink scene, a vibrant nightlife and plenty of culture, our city is more than somewhere to study.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus.
Campus life
Our beautiful campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn and socialise. Like a town of its own, it’s just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Flexible programmes to suit you
Not sure what you want to study?
Explore your options for combining subjects and shape your degree around your interests, whilst developing key skills for the world of work.
Take a virtual tour
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.